Senior Pops Orchestra to Perform at Huntington High School
The Long Island Senior Pops orchestra will be joined by the Huntington High School orchestra for an inter-generation concert on Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
The senior citizen members of this community orchestra look forward to the Senior Pops concert every year, with just about all of them saying that working with Huntington High School student musicians is the highlight of their year.
The afternoon performance is expected to draw a large crowd. Stephen Michael Smith will be the Senior Pops' conductor. The high school orchestra members will include 96 string instrument students. "We'll be performing 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' among other pieces," said Lisa Leonardi, Huntington's orchestra director.
Preparing for the concert is a challenging enterprise each year. Under Ms. Leonardi's direction, the high school musicians need to prepare a large repertoire of new and difficult music in a very short amount of time. Rehearsals are often intense affairs and observers have been impressed with how quickly the teenagers learn the music.
The high school students typically have just one joint rehearsal with the Senior Pops orchestra and need to be ready to perform up to two hours of music. The teenagers and senior citizens look forward to sharing a stand and getting to know one another during the event. "Over the years, the students have formed great friendships with their stand partners and look forward to seeing them each year," said Joan R. Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts.
The public is invited to attend the free performance, which will be held in Huntington High School's spacious and comfortable auditorium. The facility is handicapped accessible.
"This is a special way for our senior citizens to observe today's teenagers engaged in a positive activity and using their talents well," Ms. Fretz said. "It is also wonderful for the students to see how they will be able to enjoy playing their instruments long past their high school years. The seniors are full of fun and make the experience a joy for all."